From September 10 to 15, the first exports of Tucuman blueberries will begin, according to the producers' estimates. This season, about 5,500 tons of this product are expected to leave from Teniente Benjamín Matienzo Airport.
In 2016, production reached about 8,500 tons, and close to 5,500 were exported. The United States accounted for 74% of shipments; England for 14%; the European continent for 10%, and the rest of the world for 2%.
"Tighter prices are expected due to Peru's strong incursion into the market," said Francisco Estrada, head of the Tucumán Blueberry Producers Association (Apratuc).
"The campaign is a little bit ahead of what it was last year, but time will tell if this acceleration continues or if it slows down," Estrada said.
According to the latest private data, the area that was cultivated until May of this year reached 1,338 hectares, between Tucumán, Salta and Catamarca. 1,123 hectares were registered in the province, about 21 more than in 2016.
According to the sector's survey in NOA, which was presented weeks ago, in Tucumán the greatest proportion of fields were located in the departments of Monteros and Chicligasta, and accumulating a total of 804 hectares between both localities.
Source: agritotal.com